Mumbai: Television actor Nitin Chauhaan, best known for winning the reality show Dadagiri 2, was found dead in his Mumbai residence on Thursday. The 35-year-old actor, originally from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, had struggled with depression and a lack of work in recent years, according to police sources.

Chauhaan, who rose to fame on Dadagiri 2 and later appeared in popular shows such as Splitsvilla 5, Crime Patrol, Zindagi Dot Com, and Tera Yaar Hoon Main, had not secured any roles for the past 3-4 years, which his wife confirmed had taken a toll on his mental health. Despite attempts to start an ice-cream business, his venture was unsuccessful, adding further strain.

According to police, on the day of his death, Chauhaan’s wife was in the apartment garden with their daughter. Upon returning, she found the door locked from the inside, and when forced open, she discovered her husband unresponsive. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The news of Chauhaan’s passing has left his colleagues and fans in shock. Actress Vibhuti Thakur, his former co-star, expressed her grief on social media, writing, “Wish you had the strength to face all the troubles,” alongside a heartfelt tribute and a shared photo. His Tera Yaar Hoon Main co-stars Sudeep Sahir and Sayantani Ghosh also confirmed his passing.

Chauhaan’s father has arrived in Mumbai to arrange for his son’s body to be taken back to Aligarh. The police have not found anything suspicious so far, though the investigation is ongoing.